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Mexico

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Mexico is a pavilion located within World Showcase at [[Epcot]]. It is located between the World Showcase entrance and [[Norway]].
==History==
A Mexican pavilion was planned for World Showcase since early on in the area’s initial development, although early plans show Mexico situated across the lagoon (where the [[Canada]] pavilion sits today) from the plot it would eventually be built on <ref name= "video"> http://www. The martinsvids.net/?p=963 </ref>. At the outset, the planned pavilion was to include two restaurants, as well as an attraction named “Las Tres Culturas de Mexico” <ref name= "martin"> https://vimeo.com/2702430 </ref>. Although well developed, the plans for the Mexico’s Mexico pavilion boat ride were initially going to be pushed back to [[EPCOT Center’s Center]]’s “Phase Two”, and be built at a later date <ref name= "martin"/>. At this point in the pavilion’s development, the load area and lagoon were to be constructed, with the idea that the ride itself would be built at a later date in the future <ref name= "martin"/>. These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s planned Rhine River Cruise attraction was cancelled along with the Japan pavilion's planned attractionMeet the World show. Due to Compounded by the fact that the plans for an Equestrian Equatorial Africa pavilion were also shelved, Disney had a capacity issue. With no other rides in World Showcase, the area would not have enough attractions to meet its expected guest capacity <ref name= "martin"/>. [[Image:ElRiotoGranFiesta.jpg|350px|thumb|El Rio Del Tiempo became the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in 2007.]] As a remedy for this situation, Disney decided to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico an opening day attraction, changing the attraction’s name to El Rio del Tiempo. In order to complete the attraction (and pavilion) on time, the rides length was shortened by 40% and moved completely inside <ref name= "martin"/>.
Despite the late starting point of the project, the Mexico pavilion opened with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982 <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/epcotgrandopening.html </ref>. Unlike the other World Showcase pavilions, Mexico was designed to be enclosed within a single building (aside from the small lakeside cantina). When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, two shopsone proper shop, and one attraction. The centerpiece of the pavilion is a large Mesoamerican pyramid(early plans for a glass walled "old-meets-new" pavilion had been altered early on) <ref name="video"/>, which was based on designs from the 3rd century AD. The interior of the pyramid was designed to look like a Mexican village (, based on Taxco de Alarcón) , at twilight <ref name= "Spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/epcot/mexico/ </ref>. Besides initially housing El Rio Del Tiempo, the Mesoamerican pyramid also housed the [[San Angel Inn ]] restaurant, which was designed based on a restaurant in Mexico City (with of the same name), that opened in 1692 <ref name= "martin"/>. Also within the pyramid were various shops stalls and stands in the Festival Marketplace <ref name= "martin"/>which sold different souvenirs. Outside of the pyramid is the Mexico pavilion’s aforementioned lakeside restaurant- [[Cantina de San Ángel. Nearby, guests can also now meet Donald Duck in his Mexican outfit]].
[[Image:ElRiotoGranFiesta.jpg|400px|thumb|El Rio Del Tiempo became the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in 2007.]]Following its opening in 1982, for a number of years the Mexico Pavilion saw a relativity small number of changes. Throughout its history, the shopping stalls located within the pyramid have changed, and more lights were added to the marketplace <ref name= "martin"/>. Furthermore, in the mid 1990s, a second store was added to the pavilion's interior <ref name= "martin"/>. The most substantial change to the pavilion however, came on January 2, 2007 when Mexico's only attraction El Rio Del Tiempo closed <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/344/Walt-Disney-World/Epcot/World-Showcase--Mexico/El-Rio-del-Tiempo </ref>. The attraction was updated and renamed, eventually reopening as The the [[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ]] on April 6 <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/gran-fiesta-tour-starring-the-three-caballeros.htm </ref>. On the Gran Fiesta Tour, guests travel through many of the same scenes as El Rio del Tiempo, however they now feature HD screens which allow guests to follow José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) as they look search around Mexico for Donald Duck.
In On August 31, 2009, La Cava del Tequila, a a tequila bar opened inside the Mexico pavilion <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/la-cava-del-tequila/ </ref>. Subsequently, in 2010 [[Cantina de San Ángel ]] closed for refurbishment. At this time, the original 1982 building was demolished, and a larger building was constructed in its place <ref name= "video"/>. When the establishment reopened, it consisted of two restaurants, the table service Cantina, and the new table service restaurant [[La Hacienda de San Ángel ]] <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/09/la_hacienda_de_san_angel_la_ca.html </ref>. Also in 2010, a new Donald Duck meet and greet was added to the Mexico pavilion <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mexico/news/12jul2010-donald-duck-meet-and-greet-at-the-mexico-pavilion-construction-now-complete.htm </ref>.
==Current Attractions=='''On November 12, 2017, [[The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three CaballerosChoza de Margarita]]'''- On this indoor boat ride, guests follow Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca (from opened in the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) as they search all of Mexico for Donald Duckpavilion <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/choza-tequila/news/13nov2017-choza-de-margarita-now-open-at-epcots-mexico-pavilion.htm </ref>. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo outdoor margarita stand replaces the former stand that was removed during the expansion of the [[Norway]] pavilion in 20072015/2016.
==Current Attractions=='''Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure[[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]'''- On this interactive adventureindoor boat ride, guests use a "F.O.N.E." follow Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca (Field Operative Notification Equipmentfrom the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz, by looking as they search all of Mexico for clues throughout World ShowcaseDonald Duck. The adventure is based on the Disney cartoon Phineas and FerbGran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo in 2007.
==Former Attractions==
==Restaurants==
[[Image:InsideMexicopavilion.jpg|350px400px|thumb|The Festival Marketplace inside the Mexico pavilion. Photo Credit: Harshlight.]] The Mexico pavilion is home to four five different dining options. All four five restaurants serve Mexican cuisineand drinks.
'''[[San Angel Inn]]'''- Located inside of Mexico's Mesoamerican pyramid, the San Angel Inn is a table service restaurant. From their table (which is set in eternal twilight) guests can see parts of the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.
'''[[La Cantina de San Ángel]]'''- Specializing in tacos, Cantina de San Ángel opened with the pavilion in 1982. The counter service restaurant is located on World Showcase Lagoon and , across from the pavilion's pyramid. In 2010, the original counter service restaurant closed for refurbishmentand the original building was demolished. When the establishment reopenedin a new, larger building, it was divided into two restaurants. One was still called Cantina de San Ángel and remained a counter service restaurant, while the other was named La Hacienda de San Ángel which provides a table service meal.
'''[[La Hacienda de San Ángel]]'''- Located on the World Showcase Lagoon, La Hacienda de San Ángel offers guests an indoor, table service restaurant with great views of World Showcase. La Hacienda de San Ángel became Mexico’s newest dining location when it opened in 2010.
'''[[La Cava del Tequila]]'''- A tequila bar where guests can talk to “tequila "tequila connoisseurs" as they try various tequilas, margaritas, and Mexican appetizers. '''[[Choza de Margarita]]'''- This outdoor stand specializes in margaritas.
==Shopping==
'''Festival Marketplace'''- Located within Mexico’s Mesoamerican pyramid, the Festival Marketplace is home to all sorts of stands which sell authentic Mexican merchandise. Guests can also find [[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros ]] merchandise here.
''' La Tienda Encantada'''- Located within the Festival Marketplace, this shop sells clothing and accessories.
* Both the Moctezuma Brewery and the San Angel Inn contributed money to the construction of the Mexico pavilion <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html </ref>.
* At one time , flamingos could be found near the bridge in the Mexico pavilion. They have since been removed <ref> http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/WorldShowcase_OLD/1989b/WS1189-13.htm </ref> <ref name= "Spence"/>.
* Vice President of Walt Disney World (and eventual Disney Legend) Bob Allen dedicated the Mexico pavilion in 1982.
===The Mesoamerican Pyramid <ref name= "Spence"/>===
* The Mesoamerican pyramid is modeled after an the Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl found at Teotihuacan.
* Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec God of priesthood, learning and knowledge, is represented by the serpent heads which are found on the pyramid’s exterior.
* The carving located at the bottom of the pavilion’s stairs is called a stele.
* The entry way to the interior of the Mesoamerican pyramid is designed to look like a Mayan Ceremonial Hall. Here , various art exhibits are displayed.
* Inside the pavilions large Mesoamerican pyramid, guests can see a Sun Stone (an Aztec calendar).
* The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at the top of Mexico's pyramid.
 
* The interior of the pyramid is designed so that guests feel as if they are exiting the mayor's residence as the enter the Plaza del Los Amigo (which houses the pavilion's Festival Marketplace, the Gran Fiesta Tour entrance and the San Angel Inn <ref name="Martin"/>.
==References==